Philly schools no longer ‘persistently dangerous’

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Officials in Philadelphia say violence has declined in the troubled public schools, with no buildings labeled "persistently dangerous" by the state.It's the first year since the category was created in 2001 that no Philadelphia schools have appeared on the list. The designation allows parents to send their children elsewhere.The district said Wednesday that reports of violent incidents went down 10 percent during the last school year, from 2,758 to 2,485.But taking lower enrollment into account, the rate of nearly two violent incidents per 100 students was about the same.Officials say they've worked to improve school culture and safety despite fewer resources.State education records indicate 25 city schools were labeled "persistently dangerous" five years ago. Some of those buildings have since closed.